Families could pay more if councils charge for bin collection by weight

However, waste put in the recycling bin would be collected for free or at a reduced fee, but tougher rules would be enforced to stop people dodging the bin levy and contaminating recycling.

The plans from the Local Authority Recycling Advisory Committee (LARAC), which represents waste collection officers at about 70 per cent of councils, would essentially penalise people who don't recycle.

Lee Marshall, LARAC's chief executive, said he wanted to start a national debate on the best way to fund waste collection and improve recycling rates which have slowed in recent years.

Tougher rules would need to be enforce to make sure people recycle properly

He claimed that weight-based charging was the most effective method based on evidence from other countries including the Republic of Ireland.

John O'Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers' Alliance, told The Times: "You can guarantee that when bureaucrats cook up a scheme to charge residents for a service, they aren’t thinking about cutting their council tax to match.

"Hard-pressed families will resent paying extra for an army of bin snoopers telling people what to do.

"Councils have been shamelessly cutting back on waste collection, which is the most fundamental of services offered for a hefty council tax bill.

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